The proposed Summit Carbon Solutions pipeline is being recommended to be carefully examined by the counties in the area to determine the financial and risk implications.
Peg Furshong (operations and director of programs at the Montevideo-based nonprofit Clean Up the River Environment) told the Yellow Medicine County Board of Commissioners that the organization has several concerns about the proposed pipe.
Summit Carbon Solutions, Ames, Iowa proposes a $4.5 billion five-state project to transport carbon dioxide ethanol plants for North Dakota sequestration.
The company proposes just over 200 miles in Minnesota-based pipeline, including connections to the Granite Falls Energy Ethanol plant in Granite Falls and to the Bushmills Ethanol facility near Atwater.
This is the first time that we have ever had a project like it in the state. Furshong said that there are many unknowns.
CURE is an organization that works in areas like climate, energy, water. Furshong expressed two concerns about the organization. He said that there was a lack or transparency among company officials and the possible dangers that a leak, spill, or rupture could cause.
Furshong informed the commissioners that although the company has held several public meetings in the vicinity, only those who are interested in the pipeline acquisitions have been invited.
She stated that the pipeline would carry liquefied CO2 at high pressure. This is between 1,200 and 2,800 pounds per square inch. This is more than twice the pressure used in natural gas pipelines. Carbon dioxide is an invisible, odorless gas that is heavier then air. It can cause asphyxiation by causing the air to be displaced.
Furshong stated that emergency medical personnel could be at risk if they respond to any spillage or rupture.
Furshong says that most local response units don’t have the equipment necessary to respond to such emergencies. Their vehicles wouldn’t work in a carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere.
CURE has raised concerns regarding both the Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator pipelines. The state was requested by CURE to conduct an environmental review on the two projects. The state is currently deciding whether to classify them either as an energy, agricultural or waste transmission project. She said that each classification has its own requirements.
Summit Carbon Solutions graphic
Furshong stated that CURE has been hosting meetings with affected landowners. Summit Carbon Solutions has sought permanent easements that could be sold to the company in the event of a pipeline project.
She stated that there have been occasions when an out-of-state firm attempted to buy farmland that was up for auction, including one in Yellow Medicine County. She stated that this had dissatisfied some landowners.
Furshong stated that counties should be aware of the potential costs associated with inspecting a pipeline or responding to concerns raised by landowners. Some states have contemplated imposing annual community benefit fees on the company to cover the costs.
Furshong stated that she has seen accounts that indicate that the process of capturing carbon dioxide and transporting it could take nearly as much energy to do as the ethanol being made. She also said that there is no guarantee that carbon dioxide will be permanently underground sequestered underground, as stated by Summit Carbon Solutions.
She said that the only large-sized sequestration system currently in operation at an ADM facility in Illinois is located at ADM. Other projects involve pumping carbon dioxide underground to increase oil production from shale.
Furshong stated that rural communities represent front-line communities. We want to ensure that rural communities are not compromised by out-of state companies making millions of dollars.
Commissioner Greg Rennekes’ district includes much of Yellow Medicine County’s 13.96 mile proposed pipeline. He said that he had heard concerns from a landowner about the pipeline’s potential impact on native prairie.
Gary Johnson, Commissioner of CUREs, questioned CUREs opposition and stated that carbon dioxide would continue being emitted into our atmosphere without a pipeline. He also pointed out that hazardous materials such as anhydrous ammonia and propane are regularly transported and that law enforcement and first responders are trained to respond in emergency situations involving them.
Summit Carbon Solutions graphic
